The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Cofton

Glossary: Moye Serdtse - My heart,

Trying to sleep was not even an option the first night, my mind would not rest as I thought about what happened on the skiff. He'd knocked me out and when I woke he was left in the fold. I adjusted in the bed as I tried to get some sleep but I just kept looking at my wrist wanting to feel that tingling of his initials appear. I stared at it wondering why he did it, was his need to show the first general more than what our life together was.

Was he desiring to show power? I thought

I must have eventually drifted to sleep in a dreamless sleep cause it wasn't long before we had to get up. Rose had gotten us all up and gave everyone clothes to wear when or if we went outside as Ravkans were not accepted here. As Marie, Nadia and Nico left to find jobs I was stuck inside this place to hide due to my connection to the darkling. Rose motioned for me to follow her as she led me to the kitchen and started teaching me to cook what we would eat later.

"Cofton isn't a bad area, sure we are in Novi zem boarders but we still take care of our own." Rose said as she focused on what she was teaching me. "What made you decide to marry that man?" She asked which surprised me as I looked at her but she did not look at me. I suppose there was that side I knew of him that no one else saw. "Maybe it was because I thought he could change, we could create this dream future together. A house outside the little palace, a child that we could call our own." I said as I had my doubts about that now. "I saw this other side of him that no one else did so I thought things would get better."

Rose kept me so busy that I didn't bother to talk about it much longer because it was more upsetting than anything else. I knew Baghra was going to come for us some time but I worried about what was going on. Was I the fool to think Baghra would be safe without me around? I knew Aleksander did want to punish her and if he was alive that was probably something he'd do.

No, he wouldn't cross our agreement...he'd know better. I thought

My heart twitched at the fact it hurt to just think about him being dead or worse in the fold. Still, days went by before I knew it a week was already gone. I started to cry the longer it went on and thinking maybe he did die in the fold. The volcra had gotten their revenge but that was the way things went. As much as I wanted to believe he was alive it was becoming hard but what kept me hopeful was when the five of us went out I had to wear a cloak over my head and people would talk about who died.

Not once do they mention the General among the fallen. I thought

Rose noticed I would look and she'd have me put my head down "Keep your face down, need not draw attention." Rose said as I realized what Rose and Baghra had in common. They were both bossy and I couldn't wait to get back to Ravka. Still, we walked for a while before we came across Alina and Mal. I looked at Alina seeing how weak and frail she looked as she'd stopped using her sun powers.

I guess they're having a tough time too. I don't feel sorry for Alina for what she did to Aleksander. I thought

I never was one to hold a grudge against people but the fact I had no idea where he was made this worse than when he left for being the general. Would people speak ill of me or what would come? I had no idea but I knew I needed to get out of here soon if things were going to get worse. I had to keep hoping people were alive as someone stopped us.

"Rose, I see you have quite the group here." The man said as she pulled my arm to her. "Who is the one with the cloak on?" He asked, "A friend's daughter, she's unwell so we're getting her some medicine." Rose said as I knew that was a lie. The man looked seeing the others in the group. "Oh, this group of good workers, I see you have them too." The man said as I was getting a bit annoyed with this man. "Yes, they're her friends." Rose said as she led me away with the rest of our group "Please excuse us."

I questioned everything at the moment until we came to an alleyway and I saw Baghra there standing. "Took you long enough." Baghra said as she looked at me and nodded, "Remove the hood." I followed her instructions as I did and she took a look at me then looked at Rose "How has she been fairing?" Baghra asked as Rose sighed. "Certain things make her sick, you did not inform me she couldn't eat some of the things we make." Rose said as I knew I'd come to figure out some of the food in Cofton was different from what we had in Ravka. "We need to know if there is any chance she may be carrying my grandchild." Baghra said as I was ready to take this at face value. "You would need her blood and that'll take at least a few weeks to find out. What if your son is alive? The first thing he'll do is come for her." Rose said

Baghra seemed to be on the same understanding but we both shared a look that said Aleksander had to be alive. He hadn't come for me yet or he didn't know where I was but Alina and I both used the pins to travel here. "If Aleksander is alive, he will come for Amira. He needs her as she holds Morozova's stag within her. He'll go after the sea whip next which will be hard to obtain but the only thing that will stop him from obtaining it is this result. He won't endanger her life and his if she's expecting their child." Baghra said

That's a big risk if I am. I thought

Baghra had me put my hood on as we walked and she led me to a Grisha who would take some of my blood to do results. Baghra looked at me and the others since Aleksander had assigned the three as my guards. "Keep her safe and once I know the results, I'll come for you. If he gets you before I do then I will see you back at the little palace." Baghra said

Once we parted from Baghra we headed back to the hut where we went about like usual. After another week I was allowed to go out as long as I didn't draw attention and I was given things to get. Nico had given me a map of the area so I wouldn't get lost as I walked but suddenly I stopped. I looked at my wrist seeing the initials starting to show up as my heart skipped a beat knowing the only way this was possible was by boat. I focused though as I went to get things and I was able to get a little extra with what was for me. "That's a lot for a little girl." The man said as I kept to myself. "I live with four others." I assured him as I paid for it then headed back.

I left an expensive trail so he'd figure out where I was going...Alina did too. I don't care if he wants Alina along but I don't want any harm. I thought

I kept walking till I was close to Rose's home and gave the things to Marie and Nadia as they took them from me. I was about to say something when I heard his voice. "hiding again, Moye Serdtse." Aleksander's voice was clear as day near me as I looked back. I saw him walk out of the shadows with some Grisha who had come with him as I stared at him.

"Aleksander." I said as he walked over and put his hand under my chin checking if I was hurt but I had no scratches on me. "You've been well taken care of, by one of my mother's allies I assume." Aleksander said as Rose came out. "I assume you're here for the girl." Rose said as he looked up at her holding onto me. "Yes, I've come for my wife and her guards. I assume you won't try to stop me?" Aleksander said

"Of course not, I was to keep her safe after what happened in the skiff. I believe she should return to Ravka for her own safety." Rose said as she looked at everything I'd got as she only took some of it. "Food for safe traveling." Rose said as she looked at me and nodded. "It was a pleasure to give you housing while you were in Cofton." Rose said to me. I nodded as I smiled at her "thank you for all your help." I said

Aleksander took my hand as he led me away and everyone who was with me followed after they got their clothes. I sensed something was different about him as I looked at all the Grisha with him, they were scared.

What happened to you for them to be scared? I thought